1. What do the Fourteen Stations of the Cross help us reflect upon?
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Answer: The Stations of the cross are a popular devotion (also called the Way of the Cross) in honor of the Passion and death of Christ; it consists of meditating on fourteen “stations” or “stages” in the Passion of Christ, such as his condemnation by Pilate , his scourging, his journey to Calvary, and the tomb. The stations are wooden crosses, often inserted in paintings or sculptures, and may be attached to the walls of a church or oratory or erected outdoors.
Dig deeper:
Read over and familiarize yourself with the stations.
The 14 stations are:
Jesus is Condemned to Die
Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross
Jesus Falls the First Time
Jesus Meets His Mother
Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
Veronica Wipes Jesus’ Face
Jesus Falls the Second Time
Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Jesus Falls the Third Time
Jesus is Stripped
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
Jesus Dies on the Cross
Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
2. What is the Rosary? What prayers do you use to pray the rosary?
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A popular devotion among Catholics, including meditation on the main mysteries of salvation, as well as the recitation of certain vocal prayers.The mysteries are broken into four groups of five, called “decades” (The Joyful Mysteries, The Luminous Mysteries, The Sorrowful Mysteries, and the Glorious Mysteries). Meditation on each mystery is accompanied by the vocal praying of one Our Father, ten Hail Mary’s, and one Glory Be. The Hail Holy Queen is prayed after all 5 decades have been prayed. To help in praying the rosary, a string of beads (a “rosary”) is usually used. The Church strongly recommends the praying of the rosary, especially the family rosary.
The word rosary comes from Latin and means a garland of roses.
Dig deeper: Origins of the Rosary, (article by Fr. William Saunders)
“The Rosary is my favorite prayer. A marvelous prayer! Marvelous in it’s simplicity and it’s depth…Against the background of the words Ave Maria the principal events of the life of Jesus Christ pass before the eyes of the soul…At the same time our hearts can embrace in the decades of the Rosary all the events that make up the lives of individuals, families, nations, the Church, and all mankind: our personal concerns and those of our neighbor, especially those who are closest to us, who are dearest to us. Thus the simple prayer of the Rosary marks the rhythm of human life.”
-Saint John Paul II (1920-2005) October 29, 1978
List the Mysteries of the Rosary:
It is important that we as Catholics know the 4 meditations of the rosary and be able to recall the 5 mysteries associated with each. This spiritual bouquet of prayers takes us on a journey with the Blessed Mother through the life of Christ.
| Joyful Mysteries | Luminous Mysteries | Sorrowful Mysteries | Glorious Mysteries |
| The Annunciation | The Agony in the Garden | Jesus Dies on the Cross | The Birth of Jesus |
| The Crowning with Thorns | Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan | The Resurrection | Wedding Feast at Cana |
| The Assumption of Mary | The Institution of the Eucharist | The Visitation | Mary is Crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth |
| Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the Temple | The Transfiguration | The Ascension | Proclamation of the Kingdom of God |
| Jesus Carries His Cross | The Holy Spirit is sent upon the Apostles | The Scourging of Jesus | The Presentation in the Temple |
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
First Joyful Mystery
The Annunciation
And when the angel had come to her, he said, “Hail full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women.”
(Luke 1:28)
Fruit of the Mystery: Humility
Second Joyful Mystery
The Visitation
Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice; “Blest are you among women and blest is the fruit of your womb.”
(Luke 1:41-42)
Fruit of the Mystery: Love of Neighbor
Third Joyful Mystery
The Birth of Jesus
She gave birth to her first-born Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the place where travelers lodge.
(Luke 2:7)
Fruit of the Mystery: Poverty in Spirit
Fourth Joyful Mystery
The Presentation
When the day came to purify them according to the law of Moses, the couple brought Him up to Jerusalem so that He could be presented to the Lord, for it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every first-born male shall be consecrated to the Lord.”
(Luke 2:22-23)
Fruit of the Mystery: Obedience
Fifth Joyful Mystery
Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple
On the third day they came Him in the temple sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking questions.
(Luke 2:46)
Fruit of the Mystery: Joy in finding Jesus
The Luminous Mysteries
First Luminous Mystery
Baptism of Jesus
And when Jesus was baptized…the Heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on Him, and lo, a voice from heaven, saying “this is my beloved Son,” with whom I am well pleased.
(Matthew 3:16-17)
Fruit of the Mystery: Openness to the Holy Spirit
Second Luminous Mystery
Wedding Feast At Cana
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you”….Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.
(John 2:5-7)
Fruit of the Mystery: Jesus through Mary
Third Luminous Mystery
Proclaiming the Kingdom
“And preach as you go, saying The kingdom of heaven is at hand,’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without pay, give without pay.”
(Matthew 10:7-8)
Fruit of the Mystery: Repentance and trust in God
Fourth Luminous Mystery
The Transfiguration
While He was praying His face changed in appearance and His clothing became dazzling white…Then came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son: listen to Him.”
(Luke 9:29, 35)
Fruit of the Mystery: Desire for Holiness
Fifth Luminous Mystery
The Institution of the Eucharist
And He took bread and when He had given thanks He broke it and gave it to them, saying “This is my body which is given for you”…And likewise the cup after supper saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant of my blood in My blood.”
(Luke 22:19-20)
Fruit of the Mystery: Adoration
The Sorrowful Mysteries
First Sorrowful Mystery
The Agony in the Garden
In His anguish He prayed with all the greater intensity, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. Then He rose from prayer and came to His disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted with grief.
(Luke 22:44-45)
Fruit of the mystery: Sorrow for Sin
Second Sorrowful Mystery
The Scourging at the Pillar
Pilate’s next move was to take Jesus and have Him scourged.
(Luke 19:1)
Fruit of the mystery: Purity
Third Sorrowful Mystery
Crowning with Thorns
They stripped off His clothes and wrapped Him in a scarlet military cloak. Weaving a crown of thorns they fixed it on His head, and stuck a reed in His right hand…
(Matthew 27: 28-29)
Fruit of the Mystery: Moral Courage
Fourth Sorrowful Mystery
Carrying of the Cross
…carrying the cross by Himself, He went out to what is called the Place of the Skull.
(John 19:17)
Fruit of the Mystery: Patience
Fifth Sorrowful Mystery
The Crucifixion
Jesus uttered a loud cry and said “Father into Your hands I commend My Spirit.” After He said this He expired.
(Luke 23:46)
Fruit of the Mystery: Perseverance
The Glorious Mysteries
First Glorious Mystery
The Resurrection
You need not be amazed! You are looking for Jesus of Nazereth, the one who was crucified. He has been raised up; He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
(Mark 16:6)
Fruit of the Mystery: Faith
Second Glorious Mystery
The Ascension
Then after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and took His seat at God’s right hand.
(Mark 16:19)
Fruit of the Mystery: Hope, Desire for Heaven
Third Glorious Mystery
Descent of the Holy Spirit
All were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to express themselves in foreign tongues and make bold proclamation as the Spirit prompted them.
(Acts 2:4)
Fruit of the Mystery: Wisdom, Love of God
Fourth Glorious Mystery
The Assumption
You are the glory of Jerusalem…you are the splendid boast of our people…God is pleased with what you have wrought. May you be blessed by the Lord Almighty forever and ever.
(Judith 15:9-10)
Fruit of the Mystery: Devotion to Mary, Grace of a Happy Death
Fifth Glorious Mystery
The Coronation
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
(Revelation 12:1)
Fruit of the Mystery: Eternal Happiness, Trust in Mary’s Intercession
